In a realm where toxic mist sweeps the lands and magic is forbidden, all Bleak wants is a cure for her power.

Still grieving the death of her guardian and dangerously self-medicating with alcohol, Bleak is snatched from her home by the Commander of the King’s Army, and summoned to the capital.

But the king isn’t the only one interested in Bleak’s powers.

The leader of an infamous society of warriors, the Valia Kindred, lays claim to her as well, and Bleak finds herself in the middle of a much bigger battle than she anticipated.

Heart of Mist is the gripping first book in The Oremere Chronicles, a fantasy series of epic proportions.

Bleak is an orphan, making her living on the seas around Angove, plus whatever she can pickpocket. Most of it goes on drink, to try to shut out the voices that drive her mad most of the time. But when Kings Soldiers show up to collect her, she has no choice but to leave her home and travel with them, towards the capital of Heathton. What could the King possibly want with her?

Heart of Mist is an excellent fantasy adventure – in fact, one of the best self-published fantasy books I’ve ever read. It has just the right mixture of interesting characters, complex storylines that weave together and hints at romance that I hope will be developed later.

I’m a sucker for a book with a map, and the map in Heart of Mist is just gorgeous. With a complex world covering several continents, there’s plenty of room to explore. The Amazons Valia Kindred were an interesting society – badass female warriors, with an interesting dynamic between the elite warriors and the others who live on the forest floor. Then there’s Swinton and Fiore. What a great bromance!

Bleak is surly, but also vulnerable. Her magic is an interesting gift -the ability to both read minds gently but also to shatter them. I’ll be interested to see how she develops from here.

The only downside to this book was that it built up and up, but then just ended before any major climax. Having said that, all the way through there were exciting scenes, and twists and turns and secrets around every bend. I can’t wait to see what happens in book two.

A big thanks to Helen for allowing me to read a copy of Heart of Mist for review. Cheers!